The vast night sky is where science meets myths and legends, with captivating constellations woven into storytelling across the ages. Connecting with the beauty of our natural world and gazing up at the cosmos can do wonders for your wellbeing and sense of place in the world. And in the UK there are many designated dark sky locations with twinkly stars putting on a spectacular show.

Pembrokeshire is a particularly great choice for stargazing in Wales with several Dark Sky Discovery Sites to choose from. These sites are nationally recognised locations that are recommended for their low light pollution and optimal stargazing qualities. Freshwater West beach is a superb location for spotting stars and planets. You can see Venus and Mars on the western horizon at sunset and Jupiter shining in the eastern sky. 

Thanks to its clear skies, the whole of the South Downs National Park is an International Dark Sky Reserve, a special designation for areas recognised as possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights. Head to West Sussex for a variety of nighttime itineraries for star seekers, designed by Experience West Sussex. From stargazing, astrophotography and nightscape walks to spying nocturnal wildlife and participating in dark skies events, there are plenty of ways to experience the landscape, planets and even shooting stars.

This forest park is home to the darkest, star-filled skies in England. At nearly 580 square miles (1,502sq km), Northumberland International Dark Sky Park is the largest Gold Tier Dark Sky Park area of protected night sky in Europe. The first of its kind in England and one of the biggest in the world, Kielder joins the likes of Death Valley and Big Bend Dark Sky Parks in the USA. Visitors can enjoy clear skies, an array of nocturnal wildlife and an exciting programme of astronomical events throughout the year.

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The Carrick-a-Rede and Larrybane site is one of the best places in Northern Ireland for stargazing and was granted Dark Sky Discovery Site status in 2014. It’s one of only two sites in Northern Ireland with this special status thanks to its low levels of light pollution and good public access. By day, visitors can brave the coastal rope bridge, suspended almost 100 foot (30m) above sea level, and by night, gaze up at the cosmos. The site is managed by the National Trust which periodically hosts stargazing evenings.

The Elan Valley Estate in the Cambrian Mountains comprises a chain of man-made lakes created from damming the Elan and Claerwen rivers. Its incredibly clear skies mean that it achieved International Dark Sky Park status in 2015 and became the first privately-owned but publicly-accessible park in the world to do so. Several optimal stargazing sites offer the best chances of seeing the cosmos, including Claerwen Dam, Teifi Pools and the Craig Goch car park. Dark Sky Wales regularly offers stargazing experiences and astrophotography tuition here.

Check out our guide to the Elan Valley

Yorkshire Dales National Park has been designated a Dark Sky Reserve for the quality of its clear night skies and holds an annual Dark Skies Festival to celebrate its status. There are four designated Dark Sky Discovery Sites here – at Hawes and Malham National Park Centres, Tan Hill Inn and Buckden National Park car park. On a clear night, you can see constellations, planets and meteors, and you might even catch the Northern Lights when conditions are just right, or spot the International Space Station travelling at 17,000 miles per hour (27,360km/h) overhead.

Near-perfect conditions mean stargazing in Scotland is out of this world. One of the best places to observe the cosmos is Galloway Forest Park. Not only is it Britain’s largest forest park, but it's also the UK’s first Dark Sky Park. Stretching across the southwest of Scotland, it is home to glens, lochs, hills and only a few buildings which means there's very little light pollution. On clear nights, it's possible to observe thousands of stars as well as planets and satellites.

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The vast moorlands of Exmoor National Park enjoy minimal light pollution and on a cloudless night, you can see a carpet of stars and even the Milky Way with the naked eye. In 2011 Exmoor was designated as an International Dark Sky Reserve and regularly hosts stargazing events. Star hunters can also follow the Exmoor Dark Sky Discovery Trail, an easy two-mile (3.2km) self-led route across open landscapes to evocative ruins, offering 360-degree views of the star-studded night sky.

By day, the wild and rugged landscapes of the Brecon Beacons National Park offer plenty of hiking and biking opportunities and at night, they open up a whole otherworldly vista. From meteors and satellites to stars, planets and the Milky Way, there are many night-sky wonders in this Welsh Dark Sky Reserve. The Usk Reservoir, which has been designated a Dark Sky Discovery Site, is very accessible and has plenty of parking.

With no street lights and an isolated location, the tiny Isle of Coll is a unique destination for a spot of stargazing in Scotland. Coll is also the first official Dark Sky Island in Scotland and one of only two in the UK. Its extremely low light pollution offers clear vistas to observe the stars from August to March, when the skies are at their darkest. In the height of summer, it’s light almost all day here.

Stargaze in an ancient forest and a wild river valley in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. Their dark skies have low levels of light pollution and are easily accessible, with multiple locations for star hunters and astrophotographers to choose from. On clear nights you can catch a glimpse of the luminous Milky Way and even photograph it if you have the right camera gear. To get an insight into the night skies, book a guided stargazing safari with Tudor Farmhouse to learn more about stars, constellations and planets.

Snowdonia National Park is another area in Wales that has been designated as an International Dark Sky Reserve. The mountainous national park covers 823 square miles (2,132sq km) of wild landscapes and has several stargazing spots that are easily accessed. Visitors can go star hunting in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB, Llynnau Cregennen and Llyn y Dywarchen. Outdoor experts Wild Trails Wales offers guided stargazing hiking where you can reach a peak or viewpoint for sunset then descend under a blanket of stars.

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The vast open skies of the North York Moors are equally as magnificent by day as they are by night when the starry sky panorama is revealed as dusk fades to dark. In 2020, the area was designated an International Dark Sky Reserve and has three Dark Sky Discovery Sites where the Milky Way is clear during star-seeking season from autumn to spring. A variety of public stargazing events are also on offer where you can improve your knowledge of the cosmos.

This spa town in the Annandale Valley is Europe’s first Dark Sky Town, having adopted special street lighting to keep light pollution to a minimum to preserve the wonders of the starry night sky. By day, the town is also well-known for its excellent hiking routes, historic architecture and cultural heritage. By night, stargazing is a popular activity with a bookable Community Observatory and events.

Orkney’s northernmost island, North Ronaldsay is known for its slightly eccentric character, with a rare breed of seaweed-eating sheep and heritage lighthouses. After dusk, it has impressive clear skies that offer an optimal stargazing experience in Scotland and in 2021 the small island was designated a Dark Sky Island. On cold winter nights, thousands of stars dance above and you could also spot the glittering Northern Lights.

The Norfolk Coast has bright and pristine dark skies above wide-open landscapes. On a clear night, numerous constellations, planets and even the Milky Way are visible with the naked eye during stargazing season (autumn to spring). The elusive aurora borealis can even be seen on occasion. There are four accredited Dark Sky Discovery Sites including Kelling Heath Holiday Park which holds equinox star parties that draw astronomers from around the UK. Barrow Common is another site over elevated heathland.

Pembrokeshire’s expansive coastline is well-known for its stunning walks and sandy beaches but at night, it has some of the best dark skies in Wales. Park for free at Newgale Beach car park and enjoy starry skies over breaking waves at this peaceful Dark Sky Discovery Site. Low pollution makes this an ideal place for stargazing and astrophotography with the ocean making for a photogenic backdrop. From June to early August, the Milky Way is visible on clear nights and also straight after sunset in August and September.

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This archipelago off the Cornish coast has truly dark and unpolluted skies that offer stargazing opportunities with sea views stretching for miles. Thanks to extremely low light pollution and a long horizon you can observe the Milky Way and spot planets and constellations here. The best stargazing spots include Watch Hill on Bryher and King Charles' Castle on Tresco. There’s also a new community observatory on St. Martin's that hosts events, workshops and talks during Dark Skies Week in October.

Remote Cornish moorland Bodmin Moor is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and has been designated an International Dark Sky Landscape for its low light pollution and exceptionally dark night skies. The star-studded spot is conveniently located near the A30 and also close to the popular Jamaica Inn, the perfect spot for a post-stargaze drink. Top star-hunting spots in the area include Siblyback Lake which has accessible visitor facilities. Colliford Lake Park Campsite also has special stargazing packages.

Cranborne Chase was the first entire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England to be designated a Dark Sky Reserve. This chalk plateau, which straddles the counties of Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire, has exceptional starry skies and when conditions allow, the Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy can be spotted here, along with the occasional meteor shower. Visitors can also participate in stargazing events at the annual Dark Skies Festival, StarFest, where you can learn more and participate in beginners' astronomy.

Welsh county borough Rhondda Cynon Taf has eight Dark Sky Discovery Sites including two pubs. Several of the sites are regarded as Milky Way Class, like a lay-by at the top of Bwlch Mountain and Garn Eiddel car park at the top of Maerdy Mountain. Barry Sidings and Dare Valley are known as Orion Class sites, where star seekers can gaze upon constellations. Grab a pint at the Red Lion, a 12th-century drovers’ inn with a car park that provides a large open area for viewing the dark skies.

Cumbria is blessed with mountain vistas, lake views and an impressive coastline. By day there are plenty of hiking and outdoor adventure activities on offer and on a clear night, the skies above are full of thousands of stars. There are several optimal stargazing spots in the area including Grizedale Forest. This pristine forest is set between Windermere and Coniston lakes and hosts many stargazing events. Another place is Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre, an accredited Dark Sky Discovery Site, east of Ennerdale Water.

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One of the most recent areas to be awarded Dark Sky Park status in England is West Penwith in Cornwall. The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) received official recognition in December 2021. This wild, westerly stretch of the Cornish peninsula is extremely dark at night with minimal traces of light pollution and noise. It’s a quiet spot for star hunting amid archaeological relics and jaw-dropping natural beauty.

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